Steve Simmons presents...
Losing weight can be one of the most difficult
challenges a person can face. It has been
compared (rightfully or not) to quitting smoking,
kicking drugs, and beating alcoholism in its
capacity to stretch an individual to their breaking
point. Millions have tried to lose weight, only to
fail after meeting obstacle after obstacle. But
what is even more discouraging is the relapse
rate. More than 75% of those who successfully
overcome the obstacles, defeat the odds, and
actually lose the weight, eventually
challenges a person can face. It has been
compared (rightfully or not) to quitting smoking,
kicking drugs, and beating alcoholism in its
capacity to stretch an individual to their breaking
point. Millions have tried to lose weight, only to
fail after meeting obstacle after obstacle. But
what is even more discouraging is the relapse
rate. More than 75% of those who successfully
overcome the obstacles, defeat the odds, and
actually lose the weight, eventually
put all or most of it back on. If that’s not a discouraging
statistic, I don’t know what is. Why is it so hard to keep the weight off for these people who
were so motivated to lose it in the first place? I think there are a few answers to this question.
First, we should understand some of the psychology behind weight loss. People thrive on
challenges. The human psyche is designed in such a way that it is happiest when reaching
toward an ultimate goal. While losing weight takes an enormous amount of effort, there is a
goal in sight. No matter how many times it is repeated that fitness is a way of life, not a
destination, there is no practical way to apply this in real life. Of course weight loss revolves
around a goal. It almost has to, if it is to have any chance of success. But therein lies the
predicament. Once the goal has been achieved–once the finish line has been crossed–what is
there to challenge the individual? Maintaining a certain weight. . .well, that just doesn’t have the
psychological appeal of striving for a goal. There are no two ways around it: maintaining a
number on the scale is just flat out boring.
So, in many ways, it is this lack of a tangible outcome that allows so many people to slide back
into their old habits. The race has been won. The shouting is over. Life goes on. And as it does,
people have a tendency to go back to what’s comfortable. For many, that means eating the
foods that got them into trouble in the first place. It means slacking off on the exercise routine.
Of course, there are other factors at work here, as well. It is well documented, both
scientifically and anecdotally, that it is easier for bigger people to lose weight. It might be far
easier for a man (or woman) who weighs 250 pounds to drop 20 than it is for someone who is
180 pounds to lose 5. The metabolism slows, and the amount of weight to lose is much less,
leading the body to take an adversarial stance against your weight loss progress. This is also
why so many people, having lost a lot of weight, find themselves at a frustrating plateau as they
near their goal.
But to know the answers is useless if we don’t apply our knowledge to help us to overcome
these obstacles. And the application is a lot more difficult in practice than it might be in theory
(but then, what endeavor is not like this?). But you have to goal orient your post weight loss
life. This means setting new goals, concentrating on fitness rather than weight loss. If you’ve
done an hour on the treadmill at a speed of 3.5 mph, try for 4.0 mph. Try to see if you can’t jog
a bit, and set incremental goals of that sort. And of course, you can apply this sort of goal
setting to whatever your exercise routine entails.
By remaining in constant stasis, the body gets bored. Set those goals for yourself, and you may
find that maintaining is indeed much easier (and much more fun) than the weight loss itself was.
were so motivated to lose it in the first place? I think there are a few answers to this question.
First, we should understand some of the psychology behind weight loss. People thrive on
challenges. The human psyche is designed in such a way that it is happiest when reaching
toward an ultimate goal. While losing weight takes an enormous amount of effort, there is a
goal in sight. No matter how many times it is repeated that fitness is a way of life, not a
destination, there is no practical way to apply this in real life. Of course weight loss revolves
around a goal. It almost has to, if it is to have any chance of success. But therein lies the
predicament. Once the goal has been achieved–once the finish line has been crossed–what is
there to challenge the individual? Maintaining a certain weight. . .well, that just doesn’t have the
psychological appeal of striving for a goal. There are no two ways around it: maintaining a
number on the scale is just flat out boring.
So, in many ways, it is this lack of a tangible outcome that allows so many people to slide back
into their old habits. The race has been won. The shouting is over. Life goes on. And as it does,
people have a tendency to go back to what’s comfortable. For many, that means eating the
foods that got them into trouble in the first place. It means slacking off on the exercise routine.
Of course, there are other factors at work here, as well. It is well documented, both
scientifically and anecdotally, that it is easier for bigger people to lose weight. It might be far
easier for a man (or woman) who weighs 250 pounds to drop 20 than it is for someone who is
180 pounds to lose 5. The metabolism slows, and the amount of weight to lose is much less,
leading the body to take an adversarial stance against your weight loss progress. This is also
why so many people, having lost a lot of weight, find themselves at a frustrating plateau as they
near their goal.
But to know the answers is useless if we don’t apply our knowledge to help us to overcome
these obstacles. And the application is a lot more difficult in practice than it might be in theory
(but then, what endeavor is not like this?). But you have to goal orient your post weight loss
life. This means setting new goals, concentrating on fitness rather than weight loss. If you’ve
done an hour on the treadmill at a speed of 3.5 mph, try for 4.0 mph. Try to see if you can’t jog
a bit, and set incremental goals of that sort. And of course, you can apply this sort of goal
setting to whatever your exercise routine entails.
By remaining in constant stasis, the body gets bored. Set those goals for yourself, and you may
find that maintaining is indeed much easier (and much more fun) than the weight loss itself was.
Shawn Bryan is a freelance writer whose
reputation with the written word has preceded
him. On both a personal and professional
level, we at The Movie Star Diet.com are proud
to provide a prominent showcase for his
column.
reputation with the written word has preceded
him. On both a personal and professional
level, we at The Movie Star Diet.com are proud
to provide a prominent showcase for his
column.
Why is it so
hard to keep
the weight off?
hard to keep
the weight off?
